I Played Beat Saber on the *NEW* Meta Quest 3S

Summary

The new Meta Quest 3s offers a significant upgrade from the Quest 2 with full-color pass-through cameras, improved hand tracking, and the same Snapdragon Xile 2 gen chip as the Quest 3, ensuring better performance and compatibility with exclusive games. It features 8GB RAM, a slightly larger battery for longer playtime, and a new pass-through button for easy environment viewing. However, it lacks an audio jack and uses the same default head strap as the Quest 3. Priced at $299 for the 128GB model and $399 for 256GB, it's a cost-effective option launching on October 15th, including Batman Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The Meta Quest 3s is an upgraded version of the Quest 2, featuring improved specs.
• 📸 A significant upgrade is the inclusion of full-color pass-through cameras for mixed reality experiences.
• 🎽 The controllers are the same as the Quest 3, noted for being lighter and having good tracking.
• 💻 The Quest 3s runs on the Snapdragon X6 Gen 2 chip, offering better performance and compatibility with Quest 3 exclusive games.
• 🚀 It comes with 8GB of SL Ram, an increase from the 6GB in the Quest 2, enhancing performance.
• 🔋 The battery life is slightly improved, with a 4324 milliamp battery offering around 2.5 hours of playtime.
• 🎧 Unfortunately, the Quest 3s lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, requiring alternative solutions for headphone users.
• 👓 The resolution and lenses are the same as the Quest 2, which may be a disappointment for some.
• 💰 The Quest 3s is priced competitively, starting at $299 for the 128GB model, making it an attractive option for new VR users.
• 📅 The headset is set to launch on October 15th, with pre-orders available now.
• 🎁 It comes bundled with Batman Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus, adding value to the purchase.

Q & A

What are the key upgrades from the Meta Quest 2 to the Meta Quest 3s?

The Meta Quest 3s has significant upgrades including full color pass-through cameras, improved hand tracking, the same lighter controllers as the Quest 3, a better processor (Snapdragon Xile 2 gen), and increased memory (8GB instead of 6GB).

Does the Meta Quest 3s come with any bundled games or trials?

Yes, the Meta Quest 3s comes bundled with Batman: Arkham Shadow and includes a three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus, offering access to a library of free games and two additional free games per month.

What is the battery life of the Meta Quest 3s?

The Meta Quest 3s has a slightly improved battery with a 4324 milliamp battery, offering about 2.5 hours of average play time.

How does the Meta Quest 3s handle games like Beat Saber?

The Meta Quest 3s handles Beat Saber well, with the same controllers as the Quest 3, which are lighter and have good tracking. The gameplay experience is similar to that on the Quest 3.

What is missing from the Meta Quest 3s compared to its predecessor?

The Meta Quest 3s lacks an audio jack, which might be an issue for users who prefer wired headphones.

What is the starting price for the Meta Quest 3s?

The Meta Quest 3s starts at $299 USD for the 128 GB model, with a 256 GB model also available for $399 USD.

How does the Meta Quest 3s compare to the Quest 3 in terms of resolution?

The resolution of the Meta Quest 3s is the same as the Quest 2, with a resolution of 1832x1920 and a 96° field of view, whereas the Quest 3 has a 30% better resolution with a 4K display.

What new features does the Meta Quest 3s offer for mixed reality?

The Meta Quest 3s introduces full color pass-through cameras, which enhance mixed reality gaming and features, providing a more immersive experience.

Is the head strap of the Meta Quest 3s comfortable?

The head strap is the same as the Quest 3, which the reviewer found uncomfortable. It is recommended to budget for a new head strap, possibly one with a battery for better balance.

What is the weight difference between the Meta Quest 3s and the Quest 2?

The Meta Quest 3s is slightly heavier than the Quest 2, weighing 514g compared to the Quest 2's 503g.

What is the release date of the Meta Quest 3s?

The Meta Quest 3s is set to launch on October 15th, with pre-orders available at the time of the review.

Outlines

00:00

🕹️ Unboxing the Meta Quest 3s

The video script discusses the author's early experience with the newly announced Meta Quest 3s VR headset. The headset offers significant upgrades over the Quest 2, including full-color pass-through cameras for mixed reality gaming and improved hand tracking. It uses the same controllers as the Quest 3, which are lighter and have better tracking. The processor is the same as the Quest 3, allowing for exclusive games and better performance. The headset also has 8GB of RAM instead of 6GB, a slightly improved battery life, and a new pass-through button for quick environment checks. However, it lacks an audio jack, which might be a drawback for some users. The spatial audio is retained from the Quest 3, and the resolution and lenses are the same as the Quest 2. The headset is 20% slimmer but slightly heavier, and it uses the same default head strap as the Quest 3, which the author finds uncomfortable. The Quest 3s is priced at $299 for the 128GB model and $399 for the 256GB model, launching on October 15th, and comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus.

05:00

🎮 First Impressions and Future of VR

In the second paragraph, the author shares their brief demo experience with the Meta Quest 3s, highlighting new features like Amazon Prime Video and Music apps, Xbox cloud gaming, and gameplay in Just Dance VR and Beat Saber. They note that while the Quest 3s is very similar to the Quest 3, the decision to upgrade from the Quest 2 or purchase it as a first-time buyer depends on the value one places on mixed reality capabilities and the improved processor. The author also mentions the discontinuation of the Quest 2 and Quest Pro models, with the Quest 3s and Quest 3 now being the primary offerings. They reflect on the current state of VR, appreciating the affordability and capabilities of the Quest 3s, and speculate on the future of mixed reality gaming and the potential for more games to require better hardware, possibly phasing out support for the Quest 2.

Keywords

💡Meta Quest 3s

The Meta Quest 3s is a virtual reality (VR) headset announced by Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook. It represents an upgrade from the previous model, the Quest 2. In the video, the presenter discusses the new features and improvements of the Quest 3s, such as the pass-through cameras, better processors, and memory upgrades. The headset is positioned as a more affordable option compared to the higher-end Quest 3, making it an attractive choice for consumers interested in VR gaming and experiences.

💡Pass-through cameras

Pass-through cameras are a feature of the Meta Quest 3s that allow the headset to display the real world in full color while using the VR system. This enables mixed reality experiences, where virtual objects are superimposed onto the real world. The video mentions that the Quest 3s has three front-facing cameras: one for RGB stereoscopic color pass-through, one for VGA sensors for inside-out tracking of hands and controllers, and one for flood illumination to improve hand tracking across different environments.

💡Mixed reality

Mixed reality (MR) is a term used to describe the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. In the context of the video, mixed reality is highlighted as a significant feature of the Meta Quest 3s, allowing for immersive gaming experiences that blend the physical and digital realms, such as playing 'Beat Saber' or other MR-compatible games.

💡Snapdragon Xile 2 gen chip

The Snapdragon Xile 2 gen chip is a processor mentioned in the video as being used in the Meta Quest 3s. This chip is crucial for the performance of the VR headset, enabling it to run high-quality VR games and applications smoothly. The video script indicates that this processor allows the headset to run exclusive games like 'Batman' and 'Alien: Oculus Rift Conquest', and also provides better performance and speed compared to the previous model.

💡SL Ram

SL Ram, or system-level Ram, refers to the random-access memory (RAM) within the VR headset that allows for data storage and retrieval. The video mentions that the Meta Quest 3s has an upgrade to 8GB of RAM compared to the 6GB in the Quest 2, which should enhance the device's performance by allowing it to handle more data simultaneously.

💡Battery life

Battery life is a critical aspect of any portable device, including VR headsets. The video script discusses the battery upgrade in the Meta Quest 3s, which has a 4324 milliamp battery, offering an average playtime of about 2.5 hours. This is an important consideration for users who want to engage in extended VR gaming sessions without needing to recharge frequently.

💡Spatial audio

Spatial audio is a technology that creates a three-dimensional sound experience, making users feel as if they are surrounded by the audio source. In the video, the presenter mentions that the Meta Quest 3s has the same spatial audio as the Meta Quest 3, which contributes to a more immersive VR experience by making the sound seem to come from different directions within the virtual environment.

💡Resolution

Resolution in the context of VR headsets refers to the number of pixels used to form the image displayed to the user. The video script notes that the resolution of the Meta Quest 3s is the same as the Quest 2, with a resolution of 1832 by 1920 pixels per eye and a 20 PPD (pixels per degree). Although the presenter expresses some disappointment that the resolution was not improved, they also mention that the experience did not feel subpar.

💡Field of view (FOV)

Field of view (FOV) is the extent of the observable environment that is visible to the user at any given moment in a VR headset. The video mentions that the Meta Quest 3s has a 96° field of view, which is the same as the Quest 2. A wider FOV can enhance immersion by allowing users to see more of the virtual environment without needing to move their head.

💡Refresh rate

Refresh rate refers to the number of times a display updates the image per second, measured in hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate can result in smoother motion and less motion blur in VR experiences. The video script suggests that the refresh rate of the Meta Quest 3s is similar to that of the Quest 2, which is important for maintaining a fluid and realistic virtual experience.

💡Head strap

The head strap is the part of a VR headset that holds the device in place on the user's head. The video script criticizes the default head strap of the Meta Quest 3s as being uncomfortable, similar to the one used in the Quest 3. The presenter recommends investing in a more comfortable alternative, such as the Bobo VR head straps, to enhance the overall VR experience.

Highlights

Meta Quest 3s is an upgrade from the Quest 2 with full color pass-through cameras.

The headset features improved hand tracking across different environments.

The controllers are lighter and have better tracking than the Quest 2.

Quest 3s runs on the same Snapdragon Xile 2 gen chip as the Quest 3.

The device has 8GB of RAM for better performance compared to Quest 2's 6GB.

Battery life is slightly improved with a 4324 milliamp battery.

The headset lacks an audio jack, requiring alternative headphone solutions.

Spatial audio quality is maintained from the Meta Quest 3.

Resolution and lenses are the same as the Quest 2, using Fresno lenses.

The field of view and refresh rate are similar to the Quest 2.

The default head strap is the same as the Quest 3 and is considered uncomfortable.

The headset is 20% slimmer but slightly heavier than the Quest 2.

The Quest 3s is priced at $299 for the 128GB model and $399 for the 256GB model.

The headset will be released on October 15th with pre-orders available now.

The headset comes with Batman: Arkham Shadow and a three-month trial of Meta Quest Plus.

The Quest 3's 128GB model will no longer be available, only the 512GB model at a reduced price.

The Quest 2 and Quest Pro will no longer be sold.

The Quest 3s offers a good experience for mixed reality and performance in games like Beat Saber.

The decision to buy the Quest 3s depends on the importance of mixed reality features and improved processor.

Meta is dedicated to mixed reality and the Quest 3s is a step towards better hardware for this feature.

Transcripts

I tried the new meta Quest 3s early and

it literally just got announced and in

this video I'll be covering everything

you need to know about the headset and

whether it's worth buying or upgrading

from the quest 2o and of course how it

runs with Beats saber because I know a

lot of you guys want to know so I had

the opportunity to attend meta connect

thanks to meta and they gave us a day

early to demo The Meta Quest 3s which is

why you have Hotel Maisy and probably

why the editing on this video is a

little bit rush but let's get into it so

first up what are the specs the Quest 3s

is pretty much an upgrade of the Quest 2

the biggest upgrade of the headset by

far is the pass through cameras this

headset has the cameras on the front so

you can have full color pass through and

get the most out of all the mixed

reality games and pass through features

so you'll spot three little cameras on

the front one is for the RGB

stereoscopic color pasture one for the

VGA sensors for inside out tracking for

hands and controllers and one camera for

flood tracking for illumination for

improved hand tracking across different

environments and speaking of the

controllers the quest 3s uses the exact

same controllers of the quest 3 and I

really like these controllers they're

way lighter than the Quest 2 controllers

and in my opinion have pretty decent

tracking and if you're curious how the

controllers compare you can check out my

Beats saber video where I play beats

saer in every headset and it's a linked

down below the second biggest upgrade is

the processor so the quest 3s is running

the exact same Snapdragon xile 2 gen

ship as the quest 3 which means all the

quest 3 exclusive games they keep

announcing like Batman alien Mar con

cursion and Starship home will be

playable on the quester S this also

means better performance and speed on

the headset as well the quest 3s also

has better memory SL Ram so it's got 8

GB instead of 6 GB so this should help

with performance as well some other

upgrades to note include the battery

it's slightly better with a

4324 milliamp battery which with about a

2.5h hour average play time and the

layout of the headset is pretty similar

to The Quest 2 and three we have buttons

for power and volume but something new

is a button for pass through so if

you're in a game and want to see your

environment you can just press the

button but something that is missing

though is an audio jack I don't know why

they've opted for this but if you're a

headphone user you may have to explore

some other Solutions the headset though

does have the same spatial audio as The

Meta Quest 3 so sound quality is really

decent in my opinion I usually don't use

any headphones with my quest 3 at home

because I find the inbo speakers do the

job but what's the same with the quest

3s well let's talk resolution the

resolution is the same as the Quest 2

and so are the lenses which was slightly

disappointing but I get it this is a

cheaper headset and to keep it cheap

they got to use cheaper pots and for

this headset that means the Fresno

lenses so the resolution is 1832 byx

1920 with a 20 PPD whereas the qu 3 had

a 30% better resolution with a 4K

display the field of view is also the

same as a Quest 2 with with a 96° field

of view and I think the refresh rate is

the same as equester as well in terms of

resolution though I didn't feel like I

had a subpar experience or anything but

what was subar was that they've gone and

used the damn same default head strap as

the quest 3 which I had a lot of

opinions about in my quest three video

this head strap is seriously the most

uncomfortable thing ever so if you're

planning to buy this headset or any

Quest headset I highly recommend

budgeting in the cost of a new headstrap

probably one with the battery built-in

for counterbalance my favorite is always

the Bobo VR head straps but there's

plenty of options available online and I

have some of my favorites linked down

below and speaking of comfort they say

that this headset is 20% Slimmer than

the Quest 2 but it is actually heavier

it's 514 G whereas The Quest 2 was 53 G

so probably barely noticeable but bigger

battery usually means bigger weight but

the headset did feel kind of more front

heavy than the quest 3 I don't have a

sideb side comparison for you guys but

I'll definitely make a more in-depth

review and comparison for you once I

proberly have my hands on one so what

about the cost and release date so I

guess the number one best thing about

this headset is the cost they're

launching the 128 gig model for 299 USD

which I think it's a bloody good bargain

you can also get the 256 GB model for

399 USD and if you are new to VR I think

128 GB is a pretty decent size for most

people and the launch date for this

headset is October 15th and pre-orders

are available now you can use my

affiliate Link Link down below but one

of the cool things is is that this

headset will come packaged with Batman

Arkham Shadow which I got to play at

Gamescom and seriously this is a really

cool game and it also does come with

three month trial of meta Quest plus

which gets you a bunch of free games

from a big Library plus access to two

free games every month so that kind of

sweetens the deal too they did also

announce that the quest 3 128 GB model

will no longer exist and now you can

only get the 512 GB model and that's had

a bit of a price cut as well so the 512

GB Quest 3 is now 499 so that's a bit of

a price drop so that's our Quest lineup

at the moment the quest 3s 128 gig and

256 or the quest 3 for the 512 ging

model which means that the Quest 2 and

the quest Pro will no longer exist rip

so I don't know if there will be any

discounts on them but basically what

stock is left is all they're selling and

that's it so what about my experience so

I got to try a couple of things in my

very short demo they showcased the new

Amazon Prime video and music apps so

basically you can play music while

multitasking in VR and you can also

watch Amazon Prime videos in VR mode and

download them for offline play which is

good if you're traveling and that kind

of thing they also showed me some Xbox

cloud gaming which is really cool if you

haven't checked it out yet and then I

got to play some games I was most

excited to play Just Dance VR and I've

been wanting this to come to VR for the

longest time cuz I've always always been

a fan and the game played exactly like

you would expect which is a good thing

you have your Just Dance choreographer

in front of you with the prompted moves

on the right hand side and this all felt

very natural and like a really good fit

for VR so I'm excited to play more of

this game a bit more seriously instead

of feeling really awkward in a room full

of strangers and then finally I played

some beat saber of course and this felt

really nice in the quest 3s like I

already know I love the controllers and

felt like it was a similar experience to

playing on the quest 3 I played my goto

song five St by Tanga and all up I

missed like 15 notes but that was

totally me just missing them tracking

felt really good and no flex but the

demo people were kind of impressed so

that was kind of cool in terms of games

though I kind of wish I had more time to

try some other stuff like some games

that were available is Metro Awakening

and Behemoth I didn't get to try them on

the quest 3s but everyone said they look

and felt great on the headset so that's

a good sign and a side note which is a

bit irrelevant to this video but Alchemy

ABS who are the creators of job

simulator just announced a really cool

free game I tried a Gamescom called

dimensional double shift it's basically

like job simulator but multiplayer with

your hand tracking and it's available on

September 26th and it's a really cool

game hence why I wanted to mention it so

if you like free games and job simulator

you should check that one out so should

you buy it so that pretty much wraps up

my impressions of the new meta Quest 3s

and to be honest there's not a huge

amount to say about it because it's very

similar to The Quest 3 in all the right

ways and if you are think you're buying

the quest 3s as an upgrade from The

Quest 2 or if you're buying it for the

first time I think it really comes down

to whether you want the advantage of the

mix reality pass through cameras and the

improved processor I think mix reality

is an amazing feature and there's so

many awesome mixed reality games out

there that I think are worth checking

out but it does depend on what games you

like to play like if you just like to

play Beat saber or just gorilla tag will

you notice a difference I will say

though I got way better performance in

my quest 3 for games like gorilla tag so

upgrading can make a big difference but

if a friend or family member ask me what

headset to buy I would probably most

likely recommend the meta Quest 3s like

it's the cheapest and has the best

features available right now but if you

know you love playing the big games like

if Behemoth is up your alley or asgard's

girft or Metro Awakening then maybe I'd

probably recommend the quest 3 they're

the type of games you really want the

improved resolution for and where you're

really going to see an advantage of the

increased storage space but all up VR is

in a pretty good space right now like

the fact you can have a standalone

headset capable of playing huge Library

VR games and media while also doing

mixed reality for only $ 299 is pretty

cool in my eyes and I think meta has

made it pretty clear that they're

dedicated to mixed reality and want to

push that further but they can only do

that with better hardware and if if

everyone is using it so we'll probably

start to see more and more games that

stop supporting The Quest 2 maybe I

don't know but let me know what you

think of the meta Quest 3s in the

comments of whether you're going to buy

it and as always make sure to write

banana in the comments if you watch all

the way through and goodbye from America

in my hotel room and I'll see you back

in Australia bye